Stock lower ball joints greaseable?

[Zeromarine]

Have has my 2002 sport trac for about a month and was wondering do the stock oem lower ball joints come greaseable or sealed? Reason I ask is both my lowers I can grease. I’m guessing they have been replaced? Nothing wrong with them just wondering. I have 96,000 miles on it. Thanks.

 

[koda2000]

Have has my 2002 sport trac for about a month and was wondering do the stock oem lower ball joints come greaseable or sealed? Reason I ask is both my lowers I can grease. I’m guessing they have been replaced? Nothing wrong with them just wondering. I have 96,000 miles on it. Thanks.

OE's would not have grease fittings. Replacements (non-Ford) usually come with grease fittings.

 

[nameskreen]

The Explorers didn't come from the factory with grease fittings, but Ford did change the replacement ball joints and they added fittings. The parts guy at Ford told me that Ford added fittings because they had alot of ball joint failures.

 

[Zeromarine]

Ok good to know. So they have been replaced before. They are in good condition also. Thanks everyone.

 

[Terkins]

The Explorers didn't come from the factory with grease fittings, but Ford did change the replacement ball joints and they added fittings. The parts guy at Ford told me that Ford added fittings because they had alot of ball joint failures.

Interesting. NTB just told me I need new uppers & that my lowers have greasers. Now I have to go check them; I haven't seen/tried to grease them if they do. Since they're still 'good', maybe I can save them awhile by greasing them?

 

[EB4X]

The Explorers didn't come from the factory with grease fittings, but Ford did change the replacement ball joints and they added fittings. The parts guy at Ford told me that Ford added fittings because they had alot of ball joint failures.

This is good to know.....my (new to me) Explorer has the zirt fittings on bottoms....so good to know they aren't the originals and have been replaced- still look in pretty decent shape and greased them last week.......just replaced top ones a few months ago which looked like originals- thrashed.

 

[Terkins]

Interesting. NTB just told me I need new uppers & that my lowers have greasers. Now I have to go check them; I haven't seen/tried to grease them if they do. Since they're still 'good', maybe I can save them awhile by greasing them?

Bingo! Next service op I can grease the lower ball joints! Owners ?1-4 replaced them for me!

 

[Zeromarine]

Ya all my joints seem like they aren’t in perfect condition. Mind you I only have 96,000 miles on it

 

[koda2000]

Ya all my joints seem like they aren’t in perfect condition. Mind you I only have 96,000 miles on it

Honestly, you may think they're in good condition, but at 96K they're all likely all do for replacement. Explorer's are tough on ball joints. How are you checking their wear? You want to get a front tire just off the ground by jacking the vehicle up from the lower control arm so that the suspension remains at ride height. Then using a piece of 2x4 as a fulcrum and a long pry bar, stick the bar under the tire and lever it up while having someone watch for any movement in the joints (helps to have 2 people). You can also pull/push the top of the tire in/out for the upper joint while watching the joint. Any play in the joints is too much.

How do you BI boots look? If they're rotted away or split (highly likely they are) you BJ is worn.

TIP - When buying replacement ball joints don't cheap out. Cheap ball joints (even ones with grease fittings) do not last. I Installed a pair if Quik Steer lower BJ's and they didn't last 30K). I recommend Moog Problem Solver's.

 

[Zeromarine]

Ya there’s no movement in them and the rubber is in good condition.
Thanks for the tips appreciate it !

 

[J_C]

The Explorers didn't come from the factory with grease fittings, but Ford did change the replacement ball joints and they added fittings. The parts guy at Ford told me that Ford added fittings because they had alot of ball joint failures.

Any idea what they used instead? AFAIK there is no compatible Motorcraft part # for this with a grease fitting, not even up to 2010 m/y Explorers (nor 2011 and newer but that's a different setup).

Can you get hold of that parts guy again and get the part #?

I'm wondering if he was thinking of 1st gen Explorers, which do have Motorcraft BJs available with grease fittings:
More Information for MOTORCRAFT MCS10376
(or will these also fit 2nd gen Explorers? Rock Auto doesn't list them as compatible).

 

[nameskreen]

I replaced them over 10 years ago. I used to work at a body shop and they were ordered from the Ford dealer that we got our parts from